{"id":660,"date":"2021-03-03T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-03T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nativeintonation.com\/?p=660"},"modified":"2023-11-06T23:13:05","modified_gmt":"2023-11-06T14:13:05","slug":"how-to-pronounce-the-50-states","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nativeintonation.com\/how-to-pronounce-the-50-states\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Pronounce the 50 States"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are 50 states in the United States of America.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you pronounce all 50 states correctly? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s the list of the 50 states in the alphabetical order. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Say them out loud! <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Alabama Pronunciation <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

a-la-ba<\/strong>-ma <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 3rd syllable, \u201cba.<\/strong>\u201d Also prolong the sound when pronouncing it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alaska Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

a-las<\/strong>-ka<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 2nd syllable, \u201clas<\/strong>.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first syllable is the \u201cschwa\u201d sound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arizona Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

a-ri-zo<\/strong>-na <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 3rd syllable, \u201czo<\/strong>.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arkansas Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ar<\/strong>-k\u2019n-saw <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 1st syllable, \u201car<\/strong>.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pronounce \u201cArk\u201d as you normally would in \u201carc.\u201d The second syllable, \u201ck\u2019n\u201d sounds like there\u2019s no vowel. Say the third syllable as \u201csaw.\u201d Do not pronounce the last \u201cs\u201d sound.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

California Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ca-le-for<\/strong>-nia<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 3rd syllable, \u201cfor<\/strong>.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pronounce \u201cca\u201d as in \u201ccarrot.\u201d The second syllable, \u201cle\u201d is a schwa sound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colorado Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

co-lo-ra<\/strong>-do<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 3rd syllable, \u201cra.<\/strong>\u201d Also make the sound long. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pronounce \u201cCol\u201d as in \u201ccolor.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connecticut Pronunciation <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

kuh-ne<\/strong>-ti-cut <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 2nd syllable, \u201cne<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pronounce \u201cCo\u201d is a schwa sound. The second c is inaudible. Don\u2019t say, \u201cconnec<\/strong>t-ti-cut.\u201d When spoken fast, \u201ct\u201d sounds like \u201cd\u201d as in \u201cco-ne<\/strong>-di-cut.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delaware Pronunciation <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

de<\/strong>-luh-wear<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 1st syllable, \u201cde<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Florida Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

flo<\/strong>-ri-da<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 1st syllable, \u201cflo<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Georgia Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

jor<\/strong>-ji-a<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 1st syllable, \u201cjor<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hawaii Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ha-wa<\/strong>-y or ha-wa-ee<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Americans usually put an emphasis on the 2nd syllable, \u201cwa<\/strong>.\u201d However, it\u2019s also acceptable to make the third syllable long, as it\u2019s close to the pronunciation of the native Hawaiian language. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Idaho Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

eye<\/strong>-da-ho<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 1st syllable, \u201ceye<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first syllable is somewhat pronounced very quickly, and the third syllable is prolonged. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illinois Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

il-li-noi <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 3rd syllable, \u201cnoi<\/strong>.\u201d Do not pronounce the last “s” sound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indiana Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

in-di-a<\/strong>-na<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 3rd syllable, \u201ca.<\/strong>\u201d It\u2019s the same \u201ca\u201d as in \u201capple.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iowa Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

eye<\/strong>-o-wa<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 1st syllable, \u201ceye<\/strong>.\u201d Each syllable is pronounced rather short. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kansas Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

can<\/strong>-zuhs <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 1st syllable, \u201ccan<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kentucky Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ken-tu<\/strong>-cky<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 2nd syllable, \u201ctu<\/strong>.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Louisiana Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

loo-ee-zi-a<\/strong>-na <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 4th syllable, \u201ca<\/strong>.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connect the first and second syllables so they sound like \u201clewie.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maine Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This is a one syllable word that has the same pronunciation as a horse\u2019s \u201cmane<\/strong>.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maryland Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

mary<\/strong>-land<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 1st syllable, \u201cMary<\/strong>.\u201d Pronounce this like a woman\u2019s name. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For some learners, it might be difficult to pronounce \u201cl\u201d right after \u201cr.\u201d After you pronounce \u201cMary,\u201d quickly move your tongue out to place its tongue on the back of your front teeth. That way, you can pronounce \u201cl.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Massachusetts Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

mas<\/strong>-sa-choo<\/strong>-sets <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 1st and 3rd syllables. The first syllable \u201cma<\/strong>\u201d is fast and stressed. The third syllable, \u201cchoo<\/strong>\u201d is a long vowel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michigan Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

mi<\/strong>-shi-guhn <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 1st syllable, \u201cmi<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the syllables are pronounced quick and fast. The second and third syllables are schwa sounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minnesota Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

mi-ne-so<\/strong>-da <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 3rd syllable, \u201cso<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first and second syllables are schwa sounds and pronounced quickly. Say the last two syllables like \u201csoda<\/strong>.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mississippi Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

mi-si-si<\/strong>-pi <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 3rd syllable, \u201csi<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the syllables are schwa sounds and pronounced quickly.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Missouri Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

mi-zoo<\/strong>-ri <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 2rd syllable, \u201czoo<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rest of the syllables are schwa sounds and pronounced quickly.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Montana Pronunciation <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

muhn-ta<\/strong>-na<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 2nd syllable, \u201cta<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nebraska Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ne-bra<\/strong>-ska<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 2nd syllable, \u201cbra<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevada Pronunciation <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ne-va<\/strong>-da<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 2nd syllable, \u201cva<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Hampshire Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

nue-hamp<\/strong>-sher <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis on \u201cHamp<\/strong>.\u201d Say, \u201champ-sher,\u201d not \u201champ-shai-year.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Jersey Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

nue-jer<\/strong>-zee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 2nd syllable, \u201cjer<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Mexico Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

nue-mek<\/strong>-si-ko<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 2nd syllable, \u201cmek<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New York Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

nue-york<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYork<\/strong>\u201d is slightly more stressed than \u201cNew.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

North Carolina Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

north-kya-ruh-lai<\/strong>-na<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasize \u201cli<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

North Dakota Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

north-duh-ko<\/strong>-da<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Stress \u201cko<\/strong>.\u201d When pronounced fast, \u201cDakota\u201d sounds like \u201cDako<\/strong>da.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ohio Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

o-hai<\/strong>-yo<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 2nd syllable, \u201chi<\/strong>,\u201d as in a greeting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oklahoma Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ok-la-ho<\/strong>-ma<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 3rd syllable, \u201cho<\/strong>.\u201d This syllable is slightly longer than the rest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oregon Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ore-gone<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 2nd syllable, \u201cgon<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pennsylvania Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

pen-sil-va<\/strong>-ni-a <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 3rd syllable, \u201cva<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rhode Island Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

rode-eye<\/strong>-land<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Stress \u201ceye\u201d in \u201cIsland.\u201d When spoken fast, \u201cd\u201d and \u201ci\u201d sound blend, sounding like \u201cro-deye-land.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Carolina Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

south-kya-ro-lai<\/strong>-na<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis on \u201cli<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Dakota Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

south-duh-ko<\/strong>-ta<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis on \u201cko<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tennessee Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

te<\/strong>-ne-see<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 1st and 3rd syllables. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make the first syllable fast. The third syllable has a long vowel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Texas Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

tek<\/strong>-sas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Utah Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

you<\/strong>-tah<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 1st syllable, \u201cyou<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vermont Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ver-muhnt<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 2nd syllable, \u201cmont<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t be fooled by \u201cer\u201d in \u201cver.\u201d The first syllable is not stressed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Virginia Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ver-jee<\/strong>-ni-a <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 2nd syllable, \u201cji<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Washington Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

wuh<\/strong>-shing-ton<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 1st syllable, \u201cwa<\/strong>.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first syllable \u201cwa<\/strong>\u201d is similar to \u201cwash.\u201d The third syllable \u201cton\u201d is a schwa sound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

West Virginia Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

west-vir-jee<\/strong>-ni-a <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 3rd syllable, \u201cjee<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wisconsin Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

wis-kuhn<\/strong>-s\u2019n <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 2nd syllable, \u201ccon<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The third syllable, \u201csin\u201d is not pronounced like \u201csin.\u201d Treat it as if there\u2019s no vowel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wyoming Pronunciation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

why-yoh<\/strong>-ming<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Emphasis: 2nd syllable, \u201cyoh<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wrap-up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now you know how to pronounce all 50 states! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Listen to the audio and find out how to pronounce all 50 states. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":674,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/nativeintonation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/nik-shuliahin-L4JWn8HHJ30-unsplash-600x400.jpg","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/nativeintonation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/nik-shuliahin-L4JWn8HHJ30-unsplash-600x524.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Josh","author_link":"https:\/\/nativeintonation.com\/author\/josh\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nativeintonation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/660"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nativeintonation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nativeintonation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nativeintonation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nativeintonation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=660"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/nativeintonation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/660\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1751,"href":"https:\/\/nativeintonation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/660\/revisions\/1751"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nativeintonation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/674"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nativeintonation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=660"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nativeintonation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=660"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nativeintonation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=660"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}